Crystal River current., 1887-04-09
A coNvlcT's ROMANCE

A Refugee from Northern Pva>on
Wins Fame and Fortune Z
the south.
A romance that has long been hidden
has just co me to light. writes Jeffer-
sonville, Ind, correspondent of The 81.
Louis Globe Democrat. Thirty-eight
years ago Calvin Lyons was q young
machanic of Posey county. Indiana. He
had but one fault and that was exces-
sive indulgence in intoxicants. One
night he quarreled with bosom friend
with whom he was drinking. in sa-
loon. and shot him through the heart
The. young man was tried, convicted OF
manslaughter, and sent to the prison
south, at Jacksonville. for twenty one
years. He served two years. and one
cold night in March. 1850 he resolved
to escape or die. He had secretly made
tools, and had them hidden in his cell.
When the great bell began tolling the
hour at 9 o'clock he commenced the
work of cutting hole in the wall. He
worked industriously and soon had one
cut through, and was in the corridor
Here another wall three feet thick con-
fronted him. Nothing daunted, he
went to work. and in Il couple of hours
had cut hole big enough to crawl
through. He then made the startling
discovery that the hole was at least
forty feet from the ground. While he
was considering what had best be done,
the guard came along and discovered
him. Before the later could make an
out cry, Lyons sprang upon him, and
being powerful man, soon had the Of
fetal insensible upon the floor. 1t re-
quired but few minutes to bind, gag,
and strip the man OF his clothes, which
Lyons hastily donned. Lyons then
tore his bed-clothes into strips, with
which he made rope and lowered HIM
self to the ground.
The steamer Sunfiower was anchor
ed at the falls. and. being short of
hands. when Lyons volunteered to go
to work they accepted the offer. The
boat left for southern waters. The
prison officials searched high and low
for him, but he could not be found.
In the meantime the steamer Sum
flower changed hands. and in two years
Lyons had become her captain. He
saved money and ran In the Red river
trade. One time while on q visit to
bOIue ueW lIicuuS Nv DCCI SLCOAs NAiSosp
he conceived the idea of building q
mammoth cotton gin. Not having
enough money of his own. he interest
ed a wealthy planter in his scheme.
and the gin was built. Time brought
them prosperity, and Dame Fortune
smiled her sweetest upon them.
His partner had a daughter. and she
and Lyons fell deeply in love. The
latter did not wish to wed the young
lady without telling them of his former
life. of which, prior to this time. he
had been mysteriously reticent. Call
ing the young lady and her father into
| the Office one day, he made q clean
breast of the affair. At its conclusion
he told the father that he was in love
with his daughter. and asked if he
would give her to an escaped convict.
The old man considered the matter,
and finally gave his consent. They
were married and children grew up to
bless the household. His wife's father
died and made over his property to his
son-in-law, who was then worth in the
neighborhood of $4,000.
When the war broke out he Joined
the confederate army to battle for the
south. He made a gallant soldier and
won distinction for himself on many a
CORY field. After peace again over
spread the land he resumed business.
and is now a wealthy and honored res
ident of Deer Creek. His hair is silver
ed and his face is wrinkled. but he is
still hale and hearty, and he has nearly
reached three score of years.
Some eight or nine years ago gen
tleman passed through Deer Creek and
stopped over night with Mr.. Lyons.
He mentioned that he was from Jeffer:
sonville, and the host proceeded to tell
him his history.
''Are you not afraid to tell me this,
Mr.. Lyonsp" said the gentleman.
| mo-" said the host. 1.-The people
| here wouldn't see me arrested and tax
en- back to prison, and I defy the officers
to try it."
| The gentlemen has since correspond
ed regularly with his southern host.
and few days ago. for the first time,
related the incident. The hole Lyons
cut through the front Of the prison is
still visible, although it has been patch
ed, and on the books is marked: Gal
vim Lyons escaped March. 1880" 1t is
probable no attempt will be made to
bring him back and that the man will
spend the few remaining days of his life
in the southern town in which his in
| dustry won him fortune.